Going off to college can be an exciting experience, especially getting a dorm room and living with a roommate about the same age as you instead of living with your parents. Regardless, are you asking yourself, “What do I need to pack for college?”
Packing can be quite challenging because you have a lot to consider about your new living situation, such as having to share a small room with someone, the things your college permits you to bring, which of your stuff is essential and which is not, what you’ll need to buy to bring to college, items in case of an emergency, and so on.
This transition may be hard for some freshmen out there, which would make the decision-making even harder. To help you make such decisions, here is a checklist of what essentials you should bring to college.
Bath, Beddings, and Laundry
You wouldn’t want to go to college and sleep on just a wooden bunk bed. You want to make your sleeping place as comfortable as you want after a hard day of schoolwork. You also wouldn’t want to wipe yourself with used clothes after taking a bath. You don’t need to bring a lot, just enough so that you have something to use while the other is in the laundry. You would also need a different organizer for your bath and bedding as to not confuse them with your clothes.
- Comforters
- Pillows
- Mattress/foam
- Two XL bedsheets
- Two pillowcases for each pillow you’ll bring
- Shower basket to carry your bath items
- Towels
- Alarm clock
- Shampoo
- Bath soap
- Conditioner
- Laundry basket
- Bleach
- Laundry detergent
- Iron and ironing board
- Hangers
Personal Hygiene
Keeping yourself clean is important, especially because no one is there to remind you if you’re kind of a slob. You should keep yourself, as well as your room and personal space, clean. Keep in mind that you don’t have the room to yourself, so you must keep your space clean.
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Combs, brush, hairdryer
- Skin cosmetics
- Dental floss
- Mirror
- Shaving kit
- Nail clippers
- First aid kit (adhesive bandages, cough drops, aspirin, thermometer, etc.)
- Medicine and vitamins bag
- Cotton swabs
- Air freshener
- Air purifier
- Broom
- Vacuum cleaner (your dorm may have one, but you can bring a small, portable one)
Personal Items
You have to sort through your clothes to decide which ones are you going to use and which ones you’re going to leave. Personal items also include electronic devices of your choice.
- Clothes that you’ve picked to bring, as well as clothes for special occasions and nights out
- Jewelry
- Legal IDs
- Credit/debit cards
- Shoes, sandals, slippers
- Luggage
- Laptop
- Night lamp
- Decorations of your choice (night lights, ornaments, posters, pictures, curtains, etc.)
- TV (optional)
- Stereo or speakers
- Gaming systems
- School supplies
- Desk and desk chair
- Bean bag
- Plates and utensils
- Mugs and disposable cups
- Umbrella
If you plan on bringing food, drinks, and snacks to your room, you might want appliances such as:
- Water heater
- Microwave
- Mini fridge
